Watching Shangguan Yun depart, Chen Ku heard the Grandmaster's voice once more. The man strode towards him and asked, "Young brother, is everything alright? If you feel your mind is not at peace, why not try this breathing technique..."

Chen Ku then heard a breathing technique imparted through Sound Transmission into Secret, audible only to himself.

*Breathe in deeply... Breathe out slowly... Breathe in sharply...*

He subconsciously tried it and indeed felt a cool, comforting sensation wash over his mind. The turmoil in his Heart Sea, stirred by Shangguan Yun, gradually calmed with the help of this breathing technique.

He couldn't help but look at the Grandmaster, both surprised and amazed.

"Thank you, Grandmaster, for imparting this technique," Chen Ku said, then hesitated slightly. "But this seems to be our first meeting. Why such special treatment? This breathing technique... it feels quite extraordinary."

It could instantly calm his spirit. It felt like a special breathing technique akin to the Ice Heart Jue.

Yang Luochen, the three Shopkeepers, and Kou Ming all looked at Qin Yuxian, startled.

At that moment, the Imperial Envoy in the green robe, stroking his beard, chuckled. "What's so strange about that? You may not have met Qin Yuxian before, but surely you've heard of him. Across Jiangnan, the number of young talents who have received his guidance is countless. Moreover, even before coming to this Official Residence, I had heard of Young Shopkeeper Chen. It's said you possess great strength and are known as 'Brave Chen.' Clearly, Great Man Qin here has taken a liking to you."

Qin Yuxian smiled and added, "I do indeed cherish talent, young brother. Whether I take you as a disciple is a matter for another time. However, I specifically summoned you today to personally give you this 'Martial Arts Gold Order' and to invite you to participate in the 'Martial Examination' on March 15th. If you perform well then, young brother, we might truly form a master-disciple bond."

As he spoke, he retrieved a golden token from his sleeve. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a faint, divine aura.

"This is?" Chen Ku asked, curiously taking the token.

"Silly child," Yang Luochen interjected, his initial shock giving way to an instructive tone. "This is a 'Martial Token' specially crafted by the Martial Temple of the Daji Dynasty. It comes in three colors: gold, silver, and bronze.

"With a Copper Martial Token, one is qualified to participate in the Martial Examination; this is the most common type.

"Receiving a Silver Order means the chief examiner holds you in high regard, and you have a chance to become their sitting disciple after the examination. Such Martial Tokens are quite rare.

"And obtaining a Martial Arts Gold Order signifies that you have been chosen by a sitting master; from the moment the Golden Token is bestowed, a master-disciple bond is effectively formed. But that's not even the greatest function of the Martial Arts Gold Order.

"Its greatest function is that, at the end of the Martial Examination, the chief examiner will recommend you for direct teleportation into a 'special realm' within the Martial Temple, where you can acquire many opportunities."

Hearing about the token's magical properties, Chen Ku was greatly amazed. "Teleportation? A special realm? That sounds so fantastical and mystical!"

"Mystical, you say?" Tan Chongrui smiled faintly. "The establishment of the Martial Temple dates back to the era of the Ancient Emperor. During that time, the first Human Clan imperial dynasty was founded. It decreed the construction of temples for civil, martial, immortal, magic, divine, demonic, and monster cultures. These temples were meant to bring together the diverse cultivation cultures of many tribes across the land. After 108,000 years, this tradition continued into our Daji Dynasty. The Daji Dynasty overthrew the former dynasty and, within the Great Ji Realm, swept away All Techniques, exalting only the Martial Path. Consequently, it commanded much of the world's Martial Arts Destiny. Thus, it was recognized by the Martial Temple, which descended from heaven, affirming its orthodoxy."

"So, this special realm within the Martial Temple is a unique place that has existed since ancient times?" Chen Ku asked tentatively.

"With Young Shopkeeper Chen's qualifications and talent, passing the Martial Examination will be no problem. That's why Brother Qin gave you a Martial Arts Gold Order in advance," Tan Chongrui stated. "As for what you might see or gain there, it varies from person to person. You will find out when the time comes."

"Thank you, Master Qin, for the token, and thank you, Lord Tan, for the clarification," Chen Ku said, bowing gratefully.

"Alright, that was the reason for summoning you today, Chen Ku," Qin Yuxian's gaze shifted from Chen Ku to the three Shopkeepers, Yang Luochen, and Kou Ming. "Next, Lord Tan and I have matters to discuss with the key personnel of Medicine King Hall. Please, come inside with us."

"Chen Ku, you may come in and listen if you wish," Tan Chongrui told him. "If you're not interested in these discussions about reforms, you can wait outside."

"In that case... I'll wait outside."

Chen Ku guessed that once inside, they would likely discuss matters such as profit distribution and how to express their positions. None of this interested him much, as people like Kou Ming and the shopkeepers, who were naturals at this sort of thing, would handle it.

Right now, he was most interested in the Martial Arts Gold Order in his hand.

A teleportation space?

This world is becoming more and more fascinating, he mused, scrutinizing the golden token. He had thought his eyes were opened after hearing from his brother Chen Xin about the cultivation culture of Yuan Country, which lay beyond the borders of Ji Country. He hadn't expected that Ji Country, despite its isolation and lack of magic cultivation, was not backward or decaying at all. Instead, it seemed to possess a truly long and profound heritage.

He carefully tucked the Martial Arts Gold Order away.

Then, he glanced towards the rear courtyard of the county government office.

His master and the others had already entered the main hall. I wonder if brother-in-law is on duty today, Chen Ku thought. Maybe I should go find him and wait at his place until their meeting is over?

As this thought crossed his mind, suddenly:

[Sui You is suspicious of the Diagram Master...]

Chen Ku felt the alert from the Transformation Diagram.

The memory of Shangguan Yun's earlier probing actions surfaced again, making him even more uneasy. What's he up to now?

Confirming no one was around, he discreetly drew a white silken thread from between his eyebrows. Holding it in his hand, he focused his will. Transform.

The white thread in his hand instantly changed into a small red-tailed bee. It was his Red-Tailed Bee Change, now manifested as an Incarnation.

Go, follow Shangguan Yun and that other fellow, he thought. See what mischief they're up to.

He quietly released the Red-Tailed Bee.

「...」

Shangguan Yun and Sui You exited the county government office, heading towards the County Magistrate's Residence behind it. They walked one after the other, Sui You always a step behind Shangguan Yun, yet their strides were uncannily synchronized, giving an impression of perfect harmony.

"My lord, did you make that sudden move against Chen Ku because you suspect his connection to the Xu Family's Mountain-Lifting Palm?" Sui You asked thoughtfully, following behind Shangguan Yun. "Did you find anything unusual?"

Although he had previously asserted that Chen Ku couldn't possibly be the one who had used the World-Surpassing Level Mountain-Lifting Palm to kill Zhao Yuyan, witnessing Chen Ku's rapid progress had made him re-evaluate the young man.

Had this youth hidden something after all? Otherwise, how could he cultivate so quickly? A mere herb-gathering boy from Snake Fish Town, with no fortuitous encounters or great destiny, managing to kill a Fourth Realm Expert in just six months? If he did have some sort of destiny, could it be the "Majestic Martial Heritage" related to the Xu Family Qilin Blood?

Shangguan Yun, however, shook his head. "There was nothing unusual. If there had been, I would have taken action, even if Qin Yuxian was present."

The Hero King Treasure meant too much to him. He would have risked it, even in front of Qin Yuxian, even if it meant abandoning his position as County Magistrate, to ensure all clues remained solely in his possession.

"Then why, my lord?" Sui You asked, puzzled.

"It was purely a whim," Shangguan Yun replied. "I cultivate the Black Secret Intelligence Book, and I often get premonitions. The moment I saw Chen Ku, I felt something was off. However, upon investigation, I didn't sense the aura of the Xu Family or Qilin Blood. I did faintly sense some other aura, but that old coot Yang Luochen interrupted before I could investigate further. But that's not important anymore."

"Then, regarding Chen Ku?" Sui You was now uncertain of his own judgment.

"Let's not worry about him for now. If I'm not mistaken, Qin Yuxian has taken an interest in him and will likely give him a Martial Arts Gold Order. If he has no connection to the Xu Family Qilin Blood or the Hero King Treasure, there's no need to antagonize Qin Yuxian unnecessarily."

Having reached his doorstep, Shangguan Yun continued, "More importantly, what's the progress on the treasure? How much of the passage has been cleared?"

"A few days ago, the passage at the front entrance was eighty percent cleared. I was just about to check on it again today; it should be about ninety percent clear by now. With perhaps just another ten percent to go, we should be able to find the main entrance to the Underground Palace," Sui You reported.

"Then go." Shangguan Yun strode into his house, hands clasped behind his back.

Sui You bowed slightly from behind and then turned to leave.

He failed to notice a small bee following him from a short distance.

As it turned out, with the Red-Tailed Bee's speed of a Hundred Miles per hour, it had caught up to the two men almost immediately and had overheard most of their conversation.

The little bee's eyes flickered with Chen Ku's thoughts. The entrance to the Hero King Treasure? A gate?

It immediately buzzed its wings and leisurely trailed Sui You from afar.

The river ice had thawed, wild geese were flying south, birds sang, and flowers bloomed. Many bees and butterflies already flitted about the roadside fields. Chen Ku's little bee, a First Realm poison insect, was inconspicuous among the swarm...

SQUAWK~~

Just then, a Five-colored Divine Bird circling high above caught sight of the bee fluttering among the flowers—it was different from the others.

The Divine Bird blinked, then swooped down with fierce speed!

Chen Ku's little bee Incarnation had no time to react. A flash of five colors streaked past—it looked like a bird—and then its world went dark...

From afar, Sui You also heard the commotion. Turning, he saw a Five-colored Divine Sparrow in the flowerbed snatch up a bee and swallow it whole. His eyes narrowed slightly. That's... a Five-colored Peacock!

He immediately recalled that this was the Spirit Pet belonging to Guan Hongluan, the Little Princess from the Marquis of Han Shou's Mansion. Indeed, the Little Princess had arrived in Baojiao County only yesterday.

Sui You's expression instantly turned wary. He ducked into an alley, disappearing from view. However, observing that the Five-colored Peacock seemed only to be hunting, catching and eating a few insects before flapping its wings and flying off again, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Even so, he lingered in the alleys for a good while before proceeding.

「Meanwhile, back with Chen Ku,」

Just as his little bee Incarnation was devoured, BANG!

Chen Ku suddenly felt a connection in his spirit snap. He immediately looked at the Red-Tailed Bee Transformation depicted on the Transformation Diagram in his Heart Sea. There, an image appeared showing the last moments of the Red-Tailed Bee.

A Five-colored Peacock, diving down, had snatched his bee Incarnation and eaten it.

Damn creature! Chen Ku seethed. Although he possessed over eighteen hundred strands of the Red-Tailed Bee's Evil Qi, enough to create dozens or even hundreds more, this was the first time one of his Incarnations had been destroyed—and eaten by a bird, no less.

The Red-Tailed Bee was a First Realm Demon.

Looking at the bird in the vision, Chen Ku also instantly recognized it from the Qiu Long Demon Record. A Five-colored Peacock? You're courting death!

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